Influences: A Lexicon of Contemporary Graphic Design Practice

by Anja Lutz

Influences A Lexicon of Contemporary Graphic Design Practice Influences looks at who and what is influencing, provoking, inspiring and informing graphic designers’ working methods and research processes today. Two hundred of the best established and up-and-coming graphic designers around the world were asked about their influences. Their responses reveal the hidden catalysts that motivate and propel designers. The entries show the range of preparatory work and intensive research that forms the backbone of any creative project. From Charles and Ray Eames to John Cage, teaching to yawning, money to plumbing, Braun Amplifier to the Brannock Devise, Frank Zappa to Ghandi, Gridnik to kidney stones, Charlie Chaplin to Kraftwerk – the designers’ collected answers show the influences driving contemporary graphic design practice. Taking the form of a lexicon, this dictionary of graphic design influences and references is structured in two parts – the main part lists the responses from each designer shown alphabetically while an appendix at the end of the book includes the designers with references to their answers and biographies. The book gives detailed insight into the daily working processes of designers with short entertaining texts getting to the root of their passion and creative conviction. Influences is created by Anja Lutz, a Berlin-based graphic designer, founder of the shift-platform and co-initiator of The Green Box and Anna Gerber, a London-based graphic designer and journalist currently teaching at Martins College of Art & Design and the London College and writing for magazines including Eye, Print and Idea.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design

308 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2006

Reviews

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lexicon is a language's vocabulary. Influences: A Lexicon of Contemporary Graphic Design by Anna Gerber and Anja Lutz tries to build a vocabulary of influences in the graphic design profession.

The book sports a pretty pink cover and inside it's laid out like a dictionary, alphabetical entries. What's different though, is these entries are done by responses from graphic designers.

In book form, Influences is a bit overwhelming to read. I suppose if I were a graphic designer and more familiar with more of the represented artists and agencies, I would have gotten more from the book. I think in the right hands it would be an excellent reference.

The site Objects in Space had an article on Influences that explained the project was originally designed to be a wiki but grew into a book. A wiki with clickable links and maybe a tag cloud to see how the different influences stack up would work better than the book. I'd love to see videos and mind maps and other visuals linking together the collective creative process.

[Nikola D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like one of the previous comments, I agree that you should pick up this book if it aligns with your needs. I am a designer myself and find this book to be my secret card and personal treasure. Whenever I'm stuck at work and need inspiration, I glance at it. This isn't something to read cover to cover; it's a visual stimulus dictionary. Keep it near your desk at home or in the office, and try it out on a day when you're struggling to come up with an idea—you'll see what I mean. Happy reading!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun free-association book about design.

[Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's fun, but the cross-referencing is typographically awkward and there aren't enough illustrations. Wonderful concept and great contributors though.